Chapter 29
AN: Thanks so much for the reviews, you're still making me smile...
Reunions and Rebirths
"Baby, hand me a ¾ inch wrench," Derek said, reaching out his hand, not bothering to look up from the tractor's engine. He needed to keep his finger on the right belt in order to get the engine working again, and he didn't dare lose track of where he was. He'd asked Harvey what to do earlier that week to get it working, and the mechanic had mapped it out for him step by step.
"Here you go, babe."
A second later, he felt the cold metal touch his hand, along with the brush of Penelope's fingernails. Damn, that felt good—both the metal and her nails.
It was another scorcher in Fortune City and the outskirts of the town where they lived. The sweat was trailing down his back under his soaked tank top, and trickling down the back of his knees, making them itch. Since he lacked hair, he'd knotted a bandana around his head to keep the sweat from dripping in his eyes, but it wasn't keeping everything away. It was a bane to his person—he didn't perspire; he sweated like a horse.
At least he was keeping hydrated. Penelope had made some lemonade; he'd drank plenty of that, but he'd had a couple of ice cold beers already, too. He had his second one still open, waiting on the tractor seat for him to finish it.
"There!" he exclaimed, finally tightening the belt in place. "P, go turn the key."
"Okay," she said, hopping up into the seat. He stepped back and took a look. She turned the key; the engine let out a slight squeal, and then purred like a kitten. He watched as she smiled, and then took a long pull off of his bottle of beer.
"Hey, lady," he barked, reaching up to turn off the engine and pull her down. "That's mine."
"You need to share," she said, holding the bottle away from him. "Besides, I'm just as hot as you."
Derek couldn't argue with that. After learning about his calendar girls from around the US he'd had growing up, she loved to tease him dressing the part. She was wearing an adorable red checkered shirt tied at the waist and jean shorts similar to Daisy Duke's from the Dukes of Hazard, along with two identical ponytails that she'd curled and tied with bows. With her brush of freckles, slightly sunburned nose, and tanned limbs, she was the quintessential farmer's daughter...and she was indeed hot as hell.
She took another sip, and then licked her lips. "Mmmm..."
"You're not as hot as me," he growled, kissing her neck, "I'd say you're hotter."
"You're sweaty," she complained, but held onto him anyway.
He nibbled the same spots he'd kissed. "So are you."
She let out a low moan and leaned her head back to give him better access. "Baby Boy, we have work to do..."
"Screw work."
She gave a throaty laugh that he took as acquiescence, before he kissed her, hot and strong, his tongue diving for a mixed taste of beer and her sweetness. When they resurfaced, he kissed the other side of her neck.
"Ohhhh, Derek...oooh-what is that?"
That was odd enough for him to remove his mouth from her neck and look at her.
She was shading her eyes from the midday sun with her hand, peering down the long driveway. He peered there, too-A cloud of smoke, along with the barest glimpse of a van, had turned down the way.
It was probably one of the neighbors who visited once in awhile, the realtor, or some townspeople with some news. It wasn't very common in the three weeks he'd been there, but it wasn't unheard of.
"Someone's visiting," she said, taking her bandana from her pocket and wiping her forehead and hands. "I'll make some lemonade and...and..." Her mouth dropped open, and she put her hand to her lips.
"I'll be damned," Derek said, bursting into a smile. He knew that style of driving anywhere—sure, determined, and aggressive. He raised his hand and waved. "Hotch!"
Hotch honked the horn a few times before the large van pulled up to the house. "Morgan."
Rossi jumped out of the passenger side, and Derek looked at him.
"I'm not here to see you," Rossi scoffed with a teasing grin, and then reached for Penelope. "Kitten!"
Penelope gave him a huge hug, and stood there for a few moments, basking in the warmth of her friend's love.
"Help me with the door," Hotch said as he pulled open his side of the van and Derek did the other.
"Thank heavens. I was getting seasick!" JJ said, climbing out of the van. Penelope gave her a huge hug.
Reid followed, "Ah, technically, the term is motion sickness, since there is no body of water present."
"Come hug me, my sweet heap of gray matter," Penelope said, embracing Reid as he embraced her back.
"Where do we start?" JJ asked.
It was then Derek noticed they were all dressed in clothes to work in. Overalls, jeans, t-shirts.
"Oh, no," Penelope said, shaking her head emphatically. "You don't need to do that."
"Nonsense," Hotch replied, standing near her. He gave her a hug. "We're doing it for selfish reasons."
She looked up at him with a perplexed look on her face. "How is that?"
He smiled at her, a true Hotch grin, and said, "The faster we get this house up for sale, the faster we get our technical analyst back."
Penelope smiled, but her chin quivered, and Hotch folded her into his arms before she began to cry. He patted her back.
"Thank you," she murmured through tears.
"The team is just not the same without you, Garcia," he commented.
She stepped away and wiped her cheeks. "Well, I'm not the same without the team, either."
"Garcie," JJ said, standing nearby with tears in her own eyes from watching the reunion. "Tell us what to do; we're yours to order around."
Penelope nodded and laughed, and then looped her arm around JJ's shoulder. "Come with me, and you can paint!"
Derek watched the women enter the house, and then handed Hotch, Rossi and Reid a beer from the cooler. "Thanks for coming. There's a lot to do in the barn."
Rossi shook his head. "Just what I love to do...hang with sheep."
"Let me guess," Hotch replied, raising an eyebrow. "Kevin's idea?"
It was a given, so Morgan didn't even bother answering.
"Why would someone with chronic allergies even consider sheep farming?" Reid askedm looking confused. "It's one of the farming jobs with the highest amount of dander, and lanolin is a known irritant."
"You're the genius; you figure it out," Rossi quipped with a sardonic grin.
Reid grinned back. "My answer is not a pleasant one."
"Neither was mine, kid," Morgan laughed and clapped his shoulder, "but it's the right answer!"
Hours later, they met in the house around the large, farmhouse dinner table. Everyone made comments on how beautiful, spacious, and lovely the house was now. Penelope glowed with pride, but lavished praise on Derek for all the hard work he'd done.
"I couldn't have done any of it without Derek," she said, patting his hand.
"Baby Girl, you were there right beside me," he said, raising her hand and kissing her fingers.
"I would love to vacation somewhere like this," JJ said, looking around. "This would make a fabulous bed and breakfast."
"You know, I think you're on to something there," Rossi replied, taking a bite of his bread stick. "And with that historical aspect of Jesse James and gang being here, you could probably use that as a selling point, too."
"And keep the sheep farming as a side business, if the new owner felt like it," Hotch added. "Bonus income."
"Sell the sheep," Rossi said flatly.
"I kind of liked the sheep," Reid commented.
"Baby, that is a good idea," Derek said, squeezing her shoulders. "We should tell the realtor tomorrow."
Penelope leaned over and kissed Derek. "That's not a good idea, it's a great idea!"
Derek smiled, loving how at peace and happy Penelope was, and how energized she was for the future. He couldn't help but be pleased himself.
"I think this calls for a toast," Rossi said, holding up his glass. "To a great meal, great company, and a great vacation."
"Here, here!" everyone replied, as they clinked glasses, before finishing a fantastic dinner and an even more fabulous evening together.
